media release

Date: October 29, 2015
Contact: Liz Novak, Director of Marketing and Communications, +913.345.1005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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IAPD Celebrates Plastics in San Diego at 59th Annual Convention and Plastics Showcase

Overland Park, KS — The International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD), the international trade association comprised of companies engaged in the distribution and manufacture of plastic stock shapes and pipe, valves and fittings, held its premier annual event September 21-24 in San Diego, CA, USA at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Full convention and one-day delegates celebrated innovative plastics applications and the stories plastics tell at the third annual IAPD Plastics Application Design Competition, were inspired by two high-energy keynote presentations, participated in educational break-out sessions from expert speakers and connected at exciting networking gatherings.

The week-long celebration started with a special video presentation during the opening general session on Wednesday, September 23. It gave the highlights from the past year - including an all new website, exciting government relations initiatives and a hot-off-the-press update to the venerable Introduction to Plastics training manual. The video went on to acknowledge and recognize the diligent efforts of association volunteers and a special announcement from the Executive Committee, as well as acceptance speeches from the President's and Pacesetter award winners. A robust mobile event app sent attendees messages throughout the week and allowed for them to manage their schedules, make appointments and post photos.

In addition, this year's event incorporated something new, exciting and different: A Networking Zone on the trade show floor on Thursday, September 24. Participants could relax and recharge (literally) at a charging station for their mobile devices while enjoying a complimentary coffee from the IAPD Café. A special IAPD Partner Pavilion featured exhibitors who could help IAPD members with their business operations, from IT to shipping to insurance to certification to recycling materials. Plus, for an all-new way to network, a LEGO build area was set up, allowing attendees to "build something great together" while getting to know each other. IAPD is pleased to have had the opportunity to donate the LEGO bricks to the San Diego Ronald McDonald House.

Attendees saw unique and innovative performance plastics applications at the third annual Plastics Application Design Competition. Featuring finalists from the Corporate and Collegiate Divisions, the audience was asked to vote for their favorite. The first place award went to IAPD distributor member ePlastics®, a Ridout Plastics Company, for their "Louvers By Design" project. The project was installed on a custom home whose design required a solution that would diffuse the sunlight coming into the house's main living area, while offering the second floor residents a clear view of the Pacific Ocean. The second place award went to IAPD distributor member Curbell Plastics, Inc., for their solution to a bridge construction project for the Cottonwood Creek Bridge replacement in Yale, OK, USA. The application consisted of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) slide rails that were used as an element of accelerated bridge construction (ABC) methodology. The third place award went to IAPD distributor member Cope Plastics, Inc. for a metal-replacement application, a cover for a large barrel used to clean root vegetables in a food processing operation. The first place award in the Collegiate Division went to Art of Mass Production and iNova for their iDive application, a waterproof housing for the iPad that allows marine biologists, students and researchers to digitally perform data collection in real time underwater.

To conclude the celebrations on Thursday, September 24, full convention and one-day delegates enjoyed a spectacular beachfront location at Cannonball's Restaurant, complete with live music and livelier dancing. "Each year IAPD strives to give its full convention and one-day delegates an exciting and memorable event experience whether we are educating end users about the capabilities of performance plastics, promoting performance plastics as a career opportunity to students or celebrating our internal supply chain's successes," said IAPD CEO Susan E. Avery, CAE." Our members and plastics professionals work diligently to promote the benefits and capabilities of performance plastics to those who may not be aware of how these materials are improving lives. This year's convention and showcase is special as it celebrates our members and the performance plastics industry and what better place to celebrate than in 'America's Finest City.'" Click here to see photos from the convention and showcase.

IAPD will host its 60th anniversary convention Tuesday, October 4 through Friday, October 7, 2016 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, AZ, USA. Planning further ahead, the 61st Annual IAPD Convention and Plastics Expo will be Monday, October 16 through Thursday, October 19, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in Chicago, IL, USA. 

About IAPD

The International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD), established in 1956, brings together distributors, fabricators, manufacturers, manufacturers’ representatives, recyclers and service providers in an environment which encourages a free flow of ideas and information that help members build their businesses. Every program and service we provide is designed with the simple goal of helping our members increase profitability. Membership in IAPD is an affordable business investment. IAPD provides training, connections with customers and suppliers and information about developments that impact the industry. What makes IAPD unique is a commitment to educating customers and other key end-users about plastics. In other words, IAPD works with members to build the demand for plastics. Central to this effort is the reinforcement of the value of distribution.

This release and more are available in IAPD’s Press Room.

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